Charters Anonymous Graduates – No more temping!

[GetDownYouWillFall]

Hello ladies ? bit nerve wracking moving over to ante natal but thought I?d be brave! Here?s to a trouble free 8 or so months for us all! And hoping lots more of us move over very soon.

Step away from your thermometers ladies. That way madness lies.

Sits back. Feels a bit lonely. Waits for others.

Hello ladies,

Catching up on all your news again. Hope everyone is happy and expanding xx

Congrats on the milestone scan split xx

All is well here, 35wks this weekend. DH has realised anytime from 37wks is considered full term so has burst into frantic activity, while I rest up. I am huge! The pelvic pain I've been having on and off since 28wks is Branxton Hicks which are revving up and the baby moving lower. Many women just get the tightening across the womb but I also get painful/uncomfortable period-like pain across lower abdomen, lower back, bottom and tops of legs. We have our home birth home visit from midwife next week which we're both really excited about. Enjoying the nct classes, have met some nice people and learning lots. Chosen a travel system, our only big purchase cos friends and family have been so generous. The baby is head down and already very low, I have a scan a week today to check position. I finish work on Thursday yippeeee!

We haven't really agreed on first names, we've done a long list and hopefully when LO arrives we can agree which one he looks like. DH likes traditional names, I prefer a little more unusual, probably cos my name was rather popular in the 1970's.

Lots of love to you all xx

Wow newyearsday you are so nearly there! How exciting! My DD arrived at 38 weeks, so could literally be just a few weeks away for you.

Hope you find the perfect name.

How is everyone else? We've gone a bit quiet round here. Also am hoping we get some new recruits soon from the conception board. I think MrsA has been the newest addition, but there's sure to be more moving over soon.

I've just eaten a rather lovely cake and am sure I can feel some squirming down there! So exciting. I can't wait for my 20 week scan. Still 4 weeks away though which seems like ages.

Got my consultant appt next week to talk about previous experience and the labour / delivery for this time round. Bit nerve-wracking. I don't really know what I want. I suppose I kind of just want him to make the decision for me, but I know that's not going to happen! Secretly hoping the baby will end up breech so the decision is taken out of my hands.

I bet it is the baby, Getdown. Mine always starts up if I eat something sweet. Very exciting. Just don't get panicked if you don't feel anything for a while (like I do) - so tiny at the moment you don't feel much especially if they are turned around the other day.

Just keep a really open mind with the consultant - have you no more thoughts about what you would prefer? Have you finished work now too?

Not long at all, Newyearsday! Enjoy your maternity leave. I can't wait for mine.

We had an offer on the house today - turned it down though as was bit too cheeky. And they made the offer as that was the most they could afford . I am not a charity, first time buyers of this world.

Thanks LadyGG I really hope it is the baby moving that I can feel! You're right though about long gaps between each "movement". I never seem to be able to feel anything in the mornings strangely.

Also - this is a bit obsessive - but I only seem to feel movements on the left hand side, and do you know what I was thinking? When I thought I felt implantation it was on the right hand side, and isn't the placenta supposed to grow at the site where implantation took place? So that could be why I am only feeling things on the left?? Nearly mentioned it to the mw, but thought better of it as I don't want her thinking I am crazy!

I have had lots of thoughts re. the delivery but am STILL undecided (been reading the Childbirth board a lot lately for ideas). The rational sensible part of my brain says go for ELCS every time, but there is an instinctive, maternal part of my brain which kind of wants to go "natural" again. I don't know

Hope you get a better offer on your house soon! Had to at the "I'm not a charity" My friend is trying to sell her flat and the first offer she got was £20,000 below the asking price. Don't think she was going to go for that somehow! I must say, I admire you planning a move and a baby! I am well and truly staying put at least for the next ten few years.

How are you feeling at the moment?

We're in a 2 bed house now so need a bit more space really. We can cope for a while if it doesn't all happen pre-birth but would be lovely to go. Have found a lovely 4 bed house in right area but just need to get that (right) offer in!

Don't blame you staying put though...I hate moving! We will definitely get movers this time - moved with a van last time at 7 months pregnant. Never again!

I'm ok, have a touch of SPD though. Been to chiropractor today, pelvis is wonky so she did some realignment and have some exercises to do. Hopefully we can stop it from getting too bad. Fine apart from that.

It might be why you are only feeling movements on one side. Or it might just be because baby has their feet over there at the moment. You can ask when you have your scan where the placenta is!

Hiya lovelies.... have you missed me?!?! Nope didnt think so
Was off caravanning [pikie] with some pals at the weekend! Pics on bookface of said bump

Fab news on the scan spilt how FAB! Consultants right, youve suffered enough shit from that Toxo... i really hope you can start to enjoy it and think that you will have a [pink?] baby in your arms in 20w time Pink??? do you know for sure?!

Getdown fab on the hb and yes am sure its hte bean you can feel... xx Just picking up on your birth comment about ELCS. My friend suffered a third degree tear with her first baby, then opted for an ELCS second time round. She said the recovery has been a 100 times worse than the tear she had.... although am sure the pain has dulled through time!! Ive considered ELCS after our birth, but that has made me think twice. I want to be able to cuddle my older one and pick him up too :)

lady yey for 24 weeks!! and viability :) [but wants babyg to stay there for much longer] We are 22+2 today and bumptastic!! HUGE! and i have the chins to match!! Love Iris btw and Frankie I quite like Shelby for a girl (linda is mums name and mary is MILS name so i quite like Lin Mari as versions of their names if that makes sense for middle ones..but its jsut a thought!!) Totally stuck on boys names though... DS is Oliver Leo. We have a lion theme as we are Leo starsigns, DS middle name is Leo and new baby will be born a Leo too if its on time. Alex is the lion in Madagascar.... and also my gdads name... for a middle.... Love william but with our last name just wouldnt work at all...Like Ciaron, but am really really stuck... and i like that, but just not quite enough!

yEY to newyears for 35 weeks! WOW and Terrys...progressing nicely.... hope everyone else is fine and dandy too xxxxxx

Aw Nix have been wondering where you got to . Hope you had a lovely weekend away. Checked your bump too, def growing nicely! And your little guy really looks like you. Cutey. I must put some pictures up soon. (But tehre is one of DS holding my friends baby at weekend - well sweet, he loved it!). In fact might put it on profile here too.

I'm a Leo too! And this baby should also be a Leo unless early - but as DP and DS are both Taureans need to even the numbers out a bit. Shelby is cute, unusual too. And Oliver lovely. Can't think of any more Lionish names though - leonard? Simba? Names are so hard.

Lionel was a suggestion.... tan faced crooner... Urm let me think.....?! Nope :)

you have got a nice impressive baby bump nix !!

Evening all,

newyearsday so nearly there! I didn't realise you were planning a homebirth. Have you met the midwife before or will it be the first time? Enjoy these last couple of weeks, hope you can have a couple of meals out or whatever.

GetDown it definitely sounds like movement. I found it so hard to be sure for a good number of weeks. Do you have a date for your 20 week scan yet?

nix lovely to see you again, course we missed you! Re the pink-ness of my bump. The consultant said he was fairly sure but would double check at the 28 week scan. So I guess that must mean about 90% sure or so, so I am keeping in the back of my mind that we may get a shock in 8 weeks time when our baby girl has grown some extra bits!
(Rory would be a good lionish name )

Lady are those exercises improving things?

I had a little meeting with my new boss today to discuss my intentions for maternity leave. Because I'm still pretty compact I don't think he'd twigged how soon my leave would be upon him and he looked slightly unnerved
So my plan is to start M/L on 4th July (at about 33/34 weeks) and to take 3 weeks annual leave immediately beforehand (holiday year ends on 30th June, so this is last years allowance to use up). So in reality I will be buggering off in about 10 weeks. Huzzah! Cannot. Wait.

It's 6 months tomorrow since our last 20 week scan. I'm wondering if it will be one of those really shitty days. The 3 month one had me howling in the loos at work when 1.30 came around.

Hope you are all well. I can't poo again

Gah. I am about to phone my grandparents to let them know I am expecting again and I am really nervous!! Tell me I am being a tit please. I am a grown up. I have been married nearly 5 years. They know about Bobbie. They are going to be pleased for us. Why is it so embarrassing?!

Hi spilt wow 10 weeks till you finish! That will FLY by. It's really not that far away at all.

6 months ago that you had your 20 weeks scan - I am presuming this is the one where you found out Bobbie had died. Poor you that is a horrible milestone to pass, but think of how far you've come, and how wonderful it is that you have a wiggling healthy baby inside right now. I know that nothinh will never take the pain of that day away, but at least it is a comfort to think of where you are now. Just think - originally that consultant said you couldn't try again for another till April - so basically you would only just be starting to TTC again right now!

I am not going to tell you that you're being a tit because you clearly aren't It is totally understandable to feel a bit odd telling family you are expecting again. I imagine there is fear of somehow "letting them down" if something goes wrong, or worry at their reaction... but I bet they will be totally thrilled for you.

Hello all, I'm back from my travels! Missed you all.

I'll make this quite quick cos I'm still jetlagged and need my bed......

Firstly, I'm really sorry to hear your news ravenlocks. Thinking of you, I hope you get some answers.

Really pleased to read good news about the scans some of you have had! Time seems to be whizzing by really fast, I can't believe how far along everyone is getting.

I'm 11 weeks now but not got a scan date yet due to utterly useless doctors. I suspected I'd have this problem but was hoping they'd prove me wrong. Quite stressed about that but trying not to get too wound up since that won't help.

Also stressed about house move. Will hopefully be next Friday but it's not definite yet. Too much stress is not good for the bean so just trying to block it all out!

Hope you're all ok. xxx

I hope it flies by GetDown... I have a spreadsheet and I mark off the days

I know, I've thought about the fact we should only be starting to ttc now. It seems we've got away with it and been lucky with this one, and I'm so glad to be this far along and not back before the starting line and wondering when/if I'll conceive. But you're right, it doesn't mean it stops hurting at all. In some ways it's especially hard right now as this is just where we should have been in October and it all seems very poignant. I now know what it feels like to have a good 20 week scan, but it also brings back very vividly what the bad one was like. In some ways it's all more things to grieve for - for missing out on this high with Bobbie, for missing out on feeling her wriggle, for missing out on booking my ML for her. Now I know what those things are like and I know what I lost. Having a bit of a wobble actually.

Family were great actually, and very pleased. I did say it as "we're expecting baby number 2" because I want to make sure people know how I feel about number 1, and that we don't consider this one our first. I just get foolishly and childishly embarrassed about the "I have had sex!" annoucement that pregnancy is tantamount too That is why I am a tit But yes, also the emotional guilt about letting people down, very elderley people who were hoping very much to see their first great grandchild arrive and then didn't get too... I really hope they don't get disappointed again.

aw spilt! :( :)

Lots of mixed emotions x They wont be disappointed hon x

I had it today.. the leering looks from the blokes in the team... ha ha we know what you have been up to...!!! Feck off nobs, thats why you have sex doh!

Mixed emotiions for me today also, wriggling bean all right, but had a bit of discoloured discharge today...am sure its cos is wriggling about so much, maybe dislodged something.... 1.5 weeks away from viability.... bring it on x

Glad to hear your family were pleased for you spilt - knew they would be!

I know what you mean re the "I've had sex" thing Silly isn't it.

MrsP welcome back!!! Was it Cuba you were going to?

Also - am I right in remembering you are in Hertfordshire? If so, that could well explain why you haven't got a scan date yet - they are shocking round here. I didn't get a booking in appt till 13 weeks. You really have to nag and nag and nag. I would get on the phone straight away. Thankfully once you are "in the system" all seems to go ok after that.

Thanks getdown! Yes it was Cuba - soooooooo hot but had a fab time.

Yes I'm in Herts but about to move house so want to go the Rosie, which I'd be allowed to anyway even if I wasn't moving. The problem is I need somebody to refer me and after 4 weeks nobody has done it yet! Argh! I've done some nagging already so just need to keep at it. Reassuring to know that things should improve once I'm in the system.

I'm sure you right about too much wriggling nix. This pregnancy lark is one worry after another isn't it!

Hope you're having less of a wobbly day today spilt.

MrsP the Rosie has an excellent reputation. I know one of the midwives that works there and she is absolutely brilliant, such a lovely person. I am quite of you going there Hopefully you will get a date soon x

Evening all, sorry for being a stranger. BT lost our broadband connection plus we were away at Peppa Pig World last weekend (amazing - had tears in my eyes when Peppa came out on a meetngreet)

So lovely to hear your good news spilt. I won't pretend to know how you must feel but I think it's a lovely idea to emphasise how this is your 2nd baby and I'm sure your family will respect that.

Good to hear everyone else is tootling along.

Me - I'm just 8weeks. Still incredibly tired. boobs gone v sore recently but nausea seems to be easing (= feel hungry most of the time, not good). I managed to restrict myself to a baked potato & cottage cheese today, with a small biscuit with my afternoon cuppa.

On the upside, I have my booking in appt on 18 April and my dating scan on 20 April. i then have my nuchal scan on 7 May. Then there's the small task of telling everyone. Things becoming quite real now.....

On top of that we're re-mortgaging the house and trying to decide which school DD should go to, whilst factoring in nursery drop off and pick up for No2!! Quite stressful. But I'll cope.

How's things nix? I hope you've had no more discharge or other scares.

Good to see you back MrsP, sounds like a good break. Good luck for the house move!

MrsA you old softie! Only 10 days until your scan, I bet you're counting them down. Am I right in thinking you've not had an early scan so this is the first one?

On Friday I felt little kicks with my hand from the outside for the first time. DH keeps trying to feel but everytime he puts his hand on me, baby will not perform! So he's still waiting...

Saturday was a better day than I was expecting, seeing as it was 6 months from Bobbie's birth and all the significant dates worry me for a while beforehand and are generally pretty grim. But today I have had a minor collapse and found it all very hard Just got to keep plodding really and get through the shitty parts. There'll be a better day again soon.

Love to all x

Starting to wonder if DH is nesting though... I may have cleaned the cooker extractor last weekend but he has shampooed the carpets today!

Oooh spilt, shampooing carpets on a day like today?!?!?! must be nesting

I am fine thanks.. found a spot! on my episiotomy scar and i think thats what the pin head spots of blood were. (and possibly added to a very wet couple of days downstairs, made it murkier!!) Have had a fab weekend in the sunshine, impossibly chilled out and baby has kicked the hell out of me all weekend.... but i have still been knicker checking

Well DH moved down south this weekend... nooooo job... away weekdays and together at weekends... So we are in cheshire and he is in Poole, but working in Salisbury. Fab quayside flat, 5 mins from the beach and what a way to enjoy summer moving forward....!! If job works out we will relocate down there, as i am bristol based 2 days per week.

so for the time being i am single mummy, diffed, living alone and a ickle bit scared.... and working FT! Roll on easter hols where i get to go down there with Scamp for 10 days - best be sunshiny

Hope everyone is ok xxxxx

Scary, Nix - you're going to have a lot on your plate for a while! Really hope DH's job works out so you can get sorted as a family. It's horrible not knowing where you are going to be but hopefully you will know soon.

Sorry you had a rubbish day, Spilt*. But for DH's nesting. Hugs.

Hi there laydeeees! I am loving not being at work Especially with the sun shining!

Sorry you had a hard day yesterday spilt. Remember that the hard days will come, but hopefully they will get fewer and fewer. You will never forget her, but it's wonderful she was part of your life even for that short time.

MrsA where is Peppa Pig World? My DD is MAD on Peppa, she would go wild for it. Not sure I can be bothered though!

nix glad that you've found a likely culprit for your suspicious secretions, but hope it clears up soon! You are doing very well coping on your own and working FT!! My DH was away for most of last week and I found it hard, and wasn't even at work! Do you have a date for starting ML yet?

How are you LadyG?

Also how is Iwish not seen you around for a while?

I have been feeling tiny weeny kicks Just very light, like little gentle flicks of the finger. Only seem to feel anything in the evenings though, which is a bit weird.

Tomorrow I have my appointment with the consultant [gulp] Am a bit scared as I've no idea what kind of line they will take wrt the delivery. DH wants to push for ELCS (pardon the inappropriate pun) but I'm really not sure. DH thinks that if we aren't forceful that's what we want, they will say go for vaginal. But I just don't know! Am a bit scared by the prospect of being cut open!

Hi everyone, how are you all? I'm finally on holiday and delighted to be able to do nothing for a couple of weeks! And, only one more term to go until maternity leave - larvely :)

I have started going to a pregnancy yoga class and am really enjoying it so far - I am not really a yoga-type person (would rather read a book generally) but I've been surprised at how calming it is. And also good exercise! Didn't expect to feel the stretch - shows how unfit I am. DH and I are also going to meet a lady who runs Hypnobirthing classes this Thursday - am leaving my inner cynic at home and going with an open mind. I know three women who've used it before and are complete converts so I think it's definitely worth meeting her. But on a totally different extreme, I am reading the dreaded Gina Ford...I figure my open mind has to apply to everything and I won't know what's right for us until the baby arrives! Also have our 16 week midwife appointment tomorrow - am really hoping she'll get the doppler out as I don't feel very pregnant and would like some reassurance that the baby's still in there. (Silly I know.)

Hope everyone's enjoying the sunshine and not feeling too hot or heavy (my local Waterstones has no air conditioning upstairs - I was not impressed this afternoon).

Getdown how far are you - about 18 weeks? Am most jealous of your kicks! Hope things go well with the consultant. I share your fear of c-section - how soon do you have to decide?

Nix hope you're ok - well done for coping on your own! Will you go to DH for weekends or is he going to you? Hope it's as stress free as poss.

Hope everyone's well...am off to get Thai takeaway